I don't mean to be dwell on what is dark, but it seems to me that the more I realize how beautiful this world is, the more it contrasts starkly with what is not. This is not to say that beauty must gain its status by being contrasted with ugliness. However, I would agree with Anne Steele when she wrote, "[Earth's] highest joys have mingled woes, and leave a sting behind."

Our societal perception of beauty is so utterly distorted, so we must start with the shadows before we haul out the light. Otherwise we will be misunderstood. This generation has seen too much - I have seen too much - to hope in trite things. We are a cynical generation, but even a cynic can have her heart renewed. Beauty, if truly sought, is a dangerous thing in that it enables us to really see and in this sight we are able to truly morn and to truly rejoice.

However, this must be weighed with Paul’s exhortation to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. The ugliness of the world should not drive us to become morbid, but to gaze even more deeply on the beauty of Christ’s face – not to be blinded from seeing the world, but to find peace there.